Logan Dobbs is relishing the challenge ahead as he looks to take the next step in his professional career with Gillingham.
Four experienced centre-backs stand between the 19-year-old and a first-team place, but with manager Gareth Ainsworth showing he is prepared to trust young players, Dobbs believes his opportunity will come if he continues to impress.
The academy graduate made his senior debut last season, featuring in all three of Gillingham’s EFL Trophy group games, and was named among the substitutes for the League 2 trip to Colchester before a knee injury halted his progress.
Now nearing full fitness after months of rehabilitation, the defender is determined to make up for lost time when pre-season gets under way this week.
Dobbs said: “I got three appearances in the EFL Trophy and I was on the bench against Colchester, which I was really happy about, and then I got hit with quite a bad injury on my knee.
“It’s been backwards and forwards, but it’s getting there now. Hopefully I’ll be 100 per cent ready for pre-season.”
Dobbs revealed the injury came in training shortly after returning from a loan spell.
“I went in for a tackle,” he explained. “I had a little fracture in my knee and bone bruising. It actually took a while to get it right but I was quite lucky, it could have been a lot worse.
“That happened around February time after I just came back from loan. I was gutted, obviously. Other lads got their chances, and they deserved them because they did well when they played.”
Despite the frustration, Dobbs treasures the experience of testing himself alongside senior professionals in the EFL Trophy.
“Playing with some of the main boys like Armani Little and all the experienced lads, in a cup that means something, I loved it,” he said.
“The gaffer gave me the opportunity in all three games to show what I could do. It’s just about waiting for the right time and then, hopefully, when I do play, I can show everyone what I can do.”
Loan spells last season at Welling United, Tonbridge Angels and Ramsgate have also helped accelerate Dobbs’ development.
“I love being out on loan, just playing every week,” he said. “I think they’re really important, especially for young players.
“All the young boys went out on loan this season at different levels. You get experience and learn little tricks that you wouldn’t normally learn in youth-team football. It gets you ready for the first team.”
Ainsworth has already shown he is willing to give academy graduates an opportunity, with the likes of Harry Waldock, Cruz Besant and Louis Dayal among those earning valuable first-team minutes in the EFL. Youth player Sullivan Booth also impressed when he got a chance.
Dobbs hopes he can be the next youngster to get a shot in the Football League.
“The gaffer has been perfect, to be honest,” he said.
“He’s given Harry Waldock a chance and Harry’s shown what he can do. The gaffer has put his belief in him. Hopefully this season I can show him what I can do and he gives me an opportunity.”
Competition for places is fierce, with several senior defenders ahead of him in the pecking order, including new signing Liam Gordon, but Dobbs believes training alongside them will only improve his game.
“It can be a bit daunting, but we’re such a close group,” he said. “The togetherness of the team is so strong.
“I know that by working with them I’m going to become a better player. Learning things off them and working with the other players is only going to make me better.”
One player whose route to the first team he hopes to emulate is fellow defender Sam Gale.
“Sam’s someone I’m hoping to have the same pathway as,” said Dobbs. “Going out on loan, coming back and then hopefully starting for the first team.
“What you see is what you get with Sam. He gives 100 per cent every training session. He trains how he plays and that pushes standards.”
Dobbs admits another loan move could be beneficial if first-team opportunities are limited.
“It’s going to be tough to get games, especially with the amount of good players we’ve got,” he said.
“If I have to go out on loan, I’ll have to show what I can do there, but I also want to stay here, show what I can do and push to play.”
For now, though, his focus is firmly on pre-season, where he hopes to prove both his fitness and his readiness to challenge for a place.
“We’re all just excited to come back, train together and get ready for the season,” he said.
“It’s going to be an exciting season. I can’t wait to get started again.”
